Mari Cha IV obliterates Transatlantic record
by Mari Cha IV 9 Oct 2003 13:07 BST
The Mari Cha IV team shatter the West to East Transatlantic speed record © Jon Nash Photography /
www.jonnashphotography.com
The Mari Cha IV team re-wrote sailing history today when they sailed past Lizard Point, off the south west coast of England, at 10:32:20 UTC to shatter the West to East Transatlantic speed record.
Mari Cha IV set sail from Ambrose Lighthouse, New York, at 16:39:41 UTC one week ago today (on Thursday 2nd October) and completed their 2,925 mile crossing in 6 days, 17 hours, 52 minutes and 39 seconds*, beating the existing record by over two days and giving them their place in the record books as the first monohull ever to cross the Atlantic Ocean in under seven days. The previous record, held by Switzerland's Bernard Stamm aboard Armor-Lux, stood at 8 days, 20 hours, 55 minutes and 35 seconds and was set in February 2001.
The Mari Cha team had already made sailing history during the transatlantic crossing when they smashed the 24 hour distance record on Tuesday, sailing 525.5 nautical miles in a 24 hour period *. They beat the previous record of 484 nautical miles set by John Kostecki's Illbruck in April 2002, becoming the first monohull to ever sail over 500 miles in a day.
Robert Miller, speaking from onboard Mari Cha IV, said:
“It is an incredible feeling knowing that Mari Cha IV is the fastest monohull in history. Everyone involved in designing and building this magnificient yacht should be extrememely proud of their achievements, as should all of the 23 crew members on-board. The crew is made up of some of the world's best sailors and they have come together on this voyage to form a great team. It is a phenomenal achievement to have sailed across the Atlantic in under seven days and to break the existing record by over two days, which is testament to both the awesome potential of Mari Cha IV and the quality of the crew sailing her. We have received thousands of e-mails of support from people from all over the world who have followed the record attempt via our website and we would like to thank everyone who sent us messages which has really helped to spur us on. Once this achievement has sunk in, we will begin planning further record attempts, including a possible attempt to become the first monohull to sail around the world in under 80 days."
* All records to be ratified by the World Speed Sailing Council.
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